[[image:Stlawrence.jpg|right|thumb|Archdeacon and Martyr Lawrence]] The [[Archdeacon]] and [[Martyr]] [[Saint]] '''Lawrence''' (Latin: ''Laurentius'', laurelled) was one of the seven deacons of the [[Church of Rome]] and a companion of [[Pope]] [[Martyr]] Sixtus II, all of whom were martyred under Christian persecution by the Emperor Valerian in the year 258. The [[Church]] commemorates him on [[August 10]].

+

[[image:Stlawrence.jpg|right|thumb|Archdeacon and Martyr Lawrence]] The holy, glorious and right-victorious [[Archdeacon]] and [[Martyr]] [[Saint]] '''Lawrence''' (Latin: ''Laurentius'', laurelled) was one of the seven deacons of the [[Church of Rome]] and a companion of [[Pope]] [[Martyr]] Sixtus II, all of whom were martyred under Christian persecution by the Emperor Valerian in the year 258. The [[Church]] commemorates him on [[August 10]].

+

==Life==

==Life==

−

Little is known about St. Lawrence. His ''Acts'' were lost by the time of [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]]. Legend states that he was a native of Northern Spain, who had received instruction from St. Sixtus while he was an archdeacon in Rome. When Sixtus rose to the papacy in 257, Lawrence was ordained a deacon and was charged with the administration of ecclesiastical alms for the poor.

+

Little is known about St. Lawrence. His ''Acts'' were lost by the time of [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]]. Legend states that he was a native of Northern Spain, who had received instruction from St. Sixtus while he was an archdeacon in Rome. When Sixtus rose to the papacy in 257, Lawrence was [[ordination|ordained]] a deacon and was charged with the administration of ecclesiastical [[alms]] for the poor.

==Martyrdom and the Jewels of St. Lawrence==

==Martyrdom and the Jewels of St. Lawrence==

−

In early August of 258, the Emperor Valerian issued an edict commanding that all bishops, priests, and deacons should be put to death immediately without trial ("episcope et presbyteriet diacones incontinenti animadvertantur"{{ref|1}}). This command was immediately carried out throughout the city of Rome. On [[August 6]], Pope Sixtus was arrested in the catacombs and executed with his two other deacons, Felicissimus and Agapitus. Lawrence is purported to have said as they were being led to torture, "Where are you going, Holy Father, without your son? Where, O Bishop, without your archdeacon? Before you never approached the altar of sacrifice without your servant, and now you are going without me?" St. Sixtus was said to have prophesied that he would follow them soon after.

+

In early August of 258, the Emperor Valerian issued an edict commanding that all bishops, priests, and deacons should be put to death immediately without trial ("''episcope et presbyteriet diacones incontinenti animadvertantur''"{{ref|1}}). This command was immediately carried out throughout the city of Rome. On [[August 6]], Pope Sixtus was arrested in the [[catacombs]] and executed with his two other deacons, Felicissimus and Agapitus. Lawrence is purported to have said as they were being led to torture, "Where are you going, Holy Father, without your son? Where, O Bishop, without your archdeacon? Before you never approached the altar of sacrifice without your servant, and now you are going without me?" St. Sixtus was said to have prophesied that he would follow them soon after.

−

The imperial authorities soon came to St. Lawrence to demand access to the church treasury. In the course of three days after the death of the Pope and his fellow archdeacons, St. Lawrence worked quickly to distribute as much of the ecclesiastical monies to the poor as possible. On the third day, at the head of a small tribunal, he presented himself to the prefect, and when ordered to give up the treasurers of the Church, he led them to a room. There he presented the poor, crippled, and maimed, proclaiming, "Behold the jewels of the Church! The Church is truly rich, far richer, than your emperor."

+

The imperial authorities soon came to St. Lawrence to demand access to the church treasury. In the course of three days after the death of the Pope and his fellow archdeacons, St. Lawrence worked quickly to distribute as much of the ecclesiastical monies to the poor as possible. On the third day, at the head of a small tribunal, he presented himself to the prefect, and when ordered to give up the treasures of the Church, he led them to a room. There he presented the poor, crippled, and maimed, proclaiming, "Behold the jewels of the Church! The Church is truly rich, far richer, than your emperor."

On August 10, St. Lawrence was perfected in holy martyrdom, grilled on a gridiron for his faith. Legend says that he was so strong-willed that, instead of giving in and releasing information to the Romans at the point of death, he cried, "I’m done on this side! Turn me over and eat!"

On August 10, St. Lawrence was perfected in holy martyrdom, grilled on a gridiron for his faith. Legend says that he was so strong-willed that, instead of giving in and releasing information to the Romans at the point of death, he cried, "I’m done on this side! Turn me over and eat!"

*[http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360385.htm Sermon 85: On the Feast of S. Laurence the Martyr (Aug. 10)], sermon of St. [[Leo the Great]]

[[Category:Saints]]

[[Category:Saints]]

[[Category:Martyrs]]

[[Category:Martyrs]]

[[Category:Deacons]]

[[Category:Deacons]]

+

[[Category:Ante-Nicene Saints]]

+

[[Category:3rd-century saints]]

Revision as of 17:46, October 22, 2012

Archdeacon and Martyr Lawrence

The holy, glorious and right-victorious Archdeacon and MartyrSaintLawrence (Latin: Laurentius, laurelled) was one of the seven deacons of the Church of Rome and a companion of PopeMartyr Sixtus II, all of whom were martyred under Christian persecution by the Emperor Valerian in the year 258. The Church commemorates him on August 10.

Contents

Life

Little is known about St. Lawrence. His Acts were lost by the time of Augustine. Legend states that he was a native of Northern Spain, who had received instruction from St. Sixtus while he was an archdeacon in Rome. When Sixtus rose to the papacy in 257, Lawrence was ordained a deacon and was charged with the administration of ecclesiastical alms for the poor.

Martyrdom and the Jewels of St. Lawrence

In early August of 258, the Emperor Valerian issued an edict commanding that all bishops, priests, and deacons should be put to death immediately without trial ("episcope et presbyteriet diacones incontinenti animadvertantur"1). This command was immediately carried out throughout the city of Rome. On August 6, Pope Sixtus was arrested in the catacombs and executed with his two other deacons, Felicissimus and Agapitus. Lawrence is purported to have said as they were being led to torture, "Where are you going, Holy Father, without your son? Where, O Bishop, without your archdeacon? Before you never approached the altar of sacrifice without your servant, and now you are going without me?" St. Sixtus was said to have prophesied that he would follow them soon after.

The imperial authorities soon came to St. Lawrence to demand access to the church treasury. In the course of three days after the death of the Pope and his fellow archdeacons, St. Lawrence worked quickly to distribute as much of the ecclesiastical monies to the poor as possible. On the third day, at the head of a small tribunal, he presented himself to the prefect, and when ordered to give up the treasures of the Church, he led them to a room. There he presented the poor, crippled, and maimed, proclaiming, "Behold the jewels of the Church! The Church is truly rich, far richer, than your emperor."

On August 10, St. Lawrence was perfected in holy martyrdom, grilled on a gridiron for his faith. Legend says that he was so strong-willed that, instead of giving in and releasing information to the Romans at the point of death, he cried, "I’m done on this side! Turn me over and eat!"